US20060084466A1 - Hinge unit and mobile terminal having the hinge unit - Google Patents
Hinge unit and mobile terminal having the hinge unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060084466A1 US20060084466A1 US11/243,996 US24399605A US2006084466A1 US 20060084466 A1 US20060084466 A1 US 20060084466A1 US 24399605 A US24399605 A US 24399605A US 2006084466 A1 US2006084466 A1 US 2006084466A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- support plate
- control bolt
- mobile terminal
- hinge unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
- H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
- H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
- H04M1/0208—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
- H04M1/0214—Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
- H04M1/0216—Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
- H04M1/0218—The hinge comprising input and/or output user interface means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1615—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function
- G06F1/1616—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
- G06F1/1675—Miscellaneous details related to the relative movement between the different enclosures or enclosure parts
- G06F1/1681—Details related solely to hinges
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
- H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
- H04M1/0208—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
- H04M1/0214—Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
- H04M1/0216—Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D11/00—Additional features or accessories of hinges
- E05D11/10—Devices for preventing movement between relatively-movable hinge parts
- E05D11/1028—Devices for preventing movement between relatively-movable hinge parts for maintaining the hinge in two or more positions, e.g. intermediate or fully open
- E05D11/1078—Devices for preventing movement between relatively-movable hinge parts for maintaining the hinge in two or more positions, e.g. intermediate or fully open the maintaining means acting parallel to the pivot
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
- E05Y2999/00—Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a hinge unit capable of suitably adjusting a force required for a user to open and close a mobile phone body.
- FIGS. 1-3 illustrate different views of a mobile terminal and corresponding hinge unit of the related art.
- the related art mobile terminal includes a main body 110 having various circuit components therein and a folder body 120 having a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 116 for displaying information to a user.
- the main body 110 includes a key pad 102 on its front surface to allow a user to input information, and a battery 106 mounted on its rear surface.
- the folder body 120 is rotatably connected with the main body 110 via hinge connection parts 112 and 114 formed between the main body 110 and folder body 120 .
- the hinge connection part 112 is part of the main body 110 and the hinge connection part 114 is part of the folder body 120 .
- the related art mobile terminal also includes a hinge unit 122 , which is used to generate a torque whenever the folder body 120 is opened and closed.
- the hinge unit 122 includes a housing 130 , which is fixed at the hinge connection part 114 .
- the housing 130 includes an inner space for receiving a moving cam 132 .
- the hinge unit 122 also includes a fixed cam 134 disposed to contact the moving cam 132 , a head 136 having the fixed cam 134 mounted thereon and being fixed to the hinge connection part 112 , and a spring 138 disposed inside the housing 130 .
- the spring 138 is used to apply a certain elastic force to the moving cam 132 .
- the housing 130 fixed at the hinge connection part 114 of the folder body 120 and the head 136 fixed at the hinge connection part 112 of the main body 110 are rotated relative to the movement of the folder body 120 .
- the fixed cam 134 fixed at the head 136 is rotated along the moving cam 132 , to thereby linearly move the moving cam 132 .
- the spring 138 supported by the moving cam 132 is compressed to apply an elastic force to the moving cam 132 to generate torque when the folder body 120 is opened and closed.
- the spring 138 of the hinge unit has a uniform elastic force, the spring 138 produces the same torque when the folder body 120 is opened and closed. That is, the user must use the same amount of force to open or close the folder body 120 .
- an object of the present invention is to at least address the above-noted and other problems.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel mobile terminal that allows a user to control a force required for opening and closing the folder body.
- the present invention provides a novel mobile terminal including a main body, a folder body rotatably connected with the main body, a hinge connection part rotatably connecting the main body and the folder body, and a hinge unit mounted at the hinge connection part and configured to variably control a torque applied to the folder body when the folder body is opened and closed.
- the hinge unit preferably includes a housing having an inner space with both ends opened, a moving cam configured to be linearly moved in the inner space of the housing, a fixed cam rotatably disposed inside the housing and configured to contact the moving cam, a head having the fixed cam mounted thereon, a spring configured to apply an elastic force to the moving cam, and a torque controller configured to control the torque required to open and close the folder body by varying a tensile force of the spring applied to the moving cam.
- the torque controller also preferably includes a support plate configured to be linearly moved inside the housing and to support one end of the spring, and a control bolt mounted at the support plate and configured to linearly move the support plate based on a user's operation.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mobile terminal according to the related art
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge unit of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the hinge unit shown in FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the hinge unit according to the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a control bolt of the hinge unit according to the present invention.
- FIGS. 8 and 9 show operational states of the hinge unit according to the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
- the mobile terminal includes a main body 10 having a printed circuit board with various circuit components mounted thereon and a key pad 102 on its front surface to allow a user to input information.
- the mobile terminal also includes a folder body 20 rotatably connected with the main body 10 .
- the folder body 20 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22 for displaying information to the user.
- LCD liquid crystal display
- the mobile terminal also includes hinge connection parts 14 and 16 rotatably connecting the main body 10 and the folder body 20 , and a hinge unit 30 installed at the hinge connection parts 14 and 16 .
- the hinge unit 30 generates a torque when the folder body 20 is opened and closed, and also includes an adjustment feature allowing the user to control the amount of torque used for opening and closing the folder body 20 .
- the hinge unit 30 includes a housing 32 fixed at one of the hinge connection parts 14 and 16 . Further, the housing 32 includes an inner space for receiving a moving cam 36 that moves linearly within the housing 32 .
- the hinge unit 30 also includes a fixed cam 38 rotatably disposed inside the housing 32 and being disposed to contact the moving cam 36 , a head 40 having the fixed cam 38 mounted thereon and fixed to the other remaining one of the hinge connection parts 14 and 16 , a spring 42 disposed inside the housing 32 and applying an elastic force to the moving cam 36 , and a torque controller 44 mounted inside the housing 32 and controlling a torque when the folder body 20 is opened and closed. Further, as discussed in more detail below, the tensile force of the spring 42 applied to the moving cam 36 may be adjusted by the user.
- the housing 32 preferably has a polygonal shape with both ends opened, and in which a cover 34 is placed over one end of the housing 32 ( FIG. 6 illustrates the cover 34 secured over one end of the housing 32 ).
- the cover 34 includes a through-hole 56 through which the torque controller 44 is exposed and includes stopping hooks 50 which are associated with stopping holes 48 on the housing 32 .
- the stopping hooks 50 are formed in a circumferential direction of the cover 34 and are bent inwards so as to be caught by the stopping holes 48 .
- the stopping hooks 50 and stopping holes 48 engage with each other to lock the housing 32 and the cover 34 .
- the head 40 is fixed to the hinge connection part 14 of the main body 10 .
- the housing 32 is fixed at the hinge connection unit 14 of the main body 10
- the head 40 is fixed to the hinge connection part 16 of the folder body.
- the moving cam 36 moves linearly within the housing 32 .
- the moving cam 36 has an outer circumference shape that matches the polygonal shape of the housing 32 so the moving cam 36 does not rotate within the housing 32 .
- One end of the moving cam 36 includes a first cam face 52 for engaging with a second cam face 54 of the fixed cam 38 and the other end of the moving cam 36 supports one end portion of the spring 42 .
- the fixed cam 38 has a circular outer circumference so it can be rotatably disposed inside the housing 32 .
- the second cam face 54 contacts the first cam face 52 of the moving cam 36 causing the moving cam 36 to move linearly within the housing 32 .
- the fixed cam 38 includes a fixing part 58 that is inserted into a fixing hole 56 of the head 40 , and includes a cam shaft 60 formed in a longitudinal direction thereof. The moving cam 36 thus moves linearly along the cam shaft 60 .
- the torque controller 44 includes a support plate 62 having a same polygonal outer circumference as an inner circumference of the housing 32 such that the support plate 62 can move linearly within the housing 32 .
- the support plate 62 also supports the other end the spring 42 .
- a control bolt 64 includes threads on one end that match a threaded portion 70 of the support plate 62 . The other end of the control bolt 64 is exposed through the through hole 56 of the cover 34 .
- a support spring 66 is also installed between inner wall faces of the support plate 62 and the housing 32 and is used to prevent the support plate 62 from being inclined when the support plate 62 is moved.
- one side of the support plate 62 supports the spring 42 and the other side supports the support spring 66 , such that when the control bolt 64 is rotated, the support plate is linearly moved within the housing 32 to control a tensile force of the spring 42 .
- FIG. 7 illustrates in detail the threads 68 of the control bolt 64 to be threaded with the threaded portion 70 of the support plate 62 .
- FIG. 7 also illustrates a tool insertion hole 74 into which a tool can be inserted to rotate the control bolt 64 .
- a user may simply turn the control bolt 64 by hand.
- the control bolt 64 is rotatably mounted at the through hole 70 of the support plate 62 but its linear movement is prevented.
- the control bolt 64 includes a support part 72 extending in an outward direction to prevent linear movement of the control bolt 64 .
- control bolt 64 includes a groove 76 formed in a circumferential direction at a portion positioned at an outer surface of the cover 34 , in which a snap ring 78 is mounted.
- FIG. 6 illustrates the snap ring 78 mounted into the groove 76 .
- the control bolt 64 can make a rotational movement but not a linear movement.
- the snap ring 80 is mounted at the end portion of the control bolt 64 to prevent the control bolt 64 from being released from the support plate 62 .
- the user can vary the tensile force of the spring 42 by rotating the control bolt 64 clockwise or counterclockwise. Accordingly, the force working between the first cam face 52 of the moving cam 36 and the second cam face 54 of the fixed cam 38 changes, so the user can control the force required for opening and closing the folder body.
- the mobile terminal according to the present invention is advantageous because the user can control the amount of force required to open and close and the folder body. Thus, the user can conveniently use the mobile phone.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mathematical Physics (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
- Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
- Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0080566 filed in Korea on Oct. 8, 2004, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a hinge unit capable of suitably adjusting a force required for a user to open and close a mobile phone body.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
-
FIGS. 1-3 illustrate different views of a mobile terminal and corresponding hinge unit of the related art. As shown inFIG. 1 , the related art mobile terminal includes amain body 110 having various circuit components therein and afolder body 120 having a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 116 for displaying information to a user. Themain body 110 includes akey pad 102 on its front surface to allow a user to input information, and abattery 106 mounted on its rear surface. Further, thefolder body 120 is rotatably connected with themain body 110 viahinge connection parts 112 and 114 formed between themain body 110 andfolder body 120. InFIG. 1 , thehinge connection part 112 is part of themain body 110 and the hinge connection part 114 is part of thefolder body 120. The related art mobile terminal also includes ahinge unit 122, which is used to generate a torque whenever thefolder body 120 is opened and closed. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thehinge unit 122 includes ahousing 130, which is fixed at the hinge connection part 114. Thehousing 130 includes an inner space for receiving a movingcam 132. Thehinge unit 122 also includes a fixedcam 134 disposed to contact the movingcam 132, ahead 136 having the fixedcam 134 mounted thereon and being fixed to thehinge connection part 112, and aspring 138 disposed inside thehousing 130. Thespring 138 is used to apply a certain elastic force to the movingcam 132. - The operation of the
hinge unit 122 of the related art mobile terminal will now be described. - When the
folder body 120 is opened or closed, thehousing 130 fixed at the hinge connection part 114 of thefolder body 120 and thehead 136 fixed at thehinge connection part 112 of themain body 110 are rotated relative to the movement of thefolder body 120. Thus, thefixed cam 134 fixed at thehead 136 is rotated along the movingcam 132, to thereby linearly move the movingcam 132. At this time, thespring 138 supported by the movingcam 132 is compressed to apply an elastic force to the movingcam 132 to generate torque when thefolder body 120 is opened and closed. - However, because the
spring 138 of the hinge unit has a uniform elastic force, thespring 138 produces the same torque when thefolder body 120 is opened and closed. That is, the user must use the same amount of force to open or close thefolder body 120. - Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to at least address the above-noted and other problems.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel mobile terminal that allows a user to control a force required for opening and closing the folder body.
- To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a novel mobile terminal including a main body, a folder body rotatably connected with the main body, a hinge connection part rotatably connecting the main body and the folder body, and a hinge unit mounted at the hinge connection part and configured to variably control a torque applied to the folder body when the folder body is opened and closed.
- Further, the hinge unit preferably includes a housing having an inner space with both ends opened, a moving cam configured to be linearly moved in the inner space of the housing, a fixed cam rotatably disposed inside the housing and configured to contact the moving cam, a head having the fixed cam mounted thereon, a spring configured to apply an elastic force to the moving cam, and a torque controller configured to control the torque required to open and close the folder body by varying a tensile force of the spring applied to the moving cam.
- The torque controller also preferably includes a support plate configured to be linearly moved inside the housing and to support one end of the spring, and a control bolt mounted at the support plate and configured to linearly move the support plate based on a user's operation.
- The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
- In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mobile terminal according to the related art; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge unit of the mobile terminal shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the hinge unit shown inFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile terminal according to the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the hinge unit according to the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a control bolt of the hinge unit according to the present invention; and -
FIGS. 8 and 9 show operational states of the hinge unit according to the present invention. - A mobile terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to the present invention. As shown, the mobile terminal includes amain body 10 having a printed circuit board with various circuit components mounted thereon and akey pad 102 on its front surface to allow a user to input information. The mobile terminal also includes afolder body 20 rotatably connected with themain body 10. As shown, thefolder body 20 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22 for displaying information to the user. - The mobile terminal also includes
hinge connection parts main body 10 and thefolder body 20, and ahinge unit 30 installed at thehinge connection parts hinge unit 30 generates a torque when thefolder body 20 is opened and closed, and also includes an adjustment feature allowing the user to control the amount of torque used for opening and closing thefolder body 20. - Turning next to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , which illustrate different views of thehinge unit 30. As shown inFIG. 5 , thehinge unit 30 includes ahousing 32 fixed at one of thehinge connection parts housing 32 includes an inner space for receiving a movingcam 36 that moves linearly within thehousing 32. Thehinge unit 30 also includes a fixedcam 38 rotatably disposed inside thehousing 32 and being disposed to contact the movingcam 36, ahead 40 having the fixedcam 38 mounted thereon and fixed to the other remaining one of thehinge connection parts spring 42 disposed inside thehousing 32 and applying an elastic force to the movingcam 36, and atorque controller 44 mounted inside thehousing 32 and controlling a torque when thefolder body 20 is opened and closed. Further, as discussed in more detail below, the tensile force of thespring 42 applied to the movingcam 36 may be adjusted by the user. - In addition, the
housing 32 preferably has a polygonal shape with both ends opened, and in which acover 34 is placed over one end of the housing 32 (FIG. 6 illustrates thecover 34 secured over one end of the housing 32). Thecover 34 includes a through-hole 56 through which thetorque controller 44 is exposed and includes stoppinghooks 50 which are associated withstopping holes 48 on thehousing 32. In more detail, the stoppinghooks 50 are formed in a circumferential direction of thecover 34 and are bent inwards so as to be caught by the stoppingholes 48. Thus, when thecover 34 is placed over thehousing 32, the stoppinghooks 50 and stoppingholes 48 engage with each other to lock thehousing 32 and thecover 34. - Further, when the
housing 32 is fixed at thehinge connection part 16 of thefolder body 20, thehead 40 is fixed to thehinge connection part 14 of themain body 10. Alternatively, when thehousing 32 is fixed at thehinge connection unit 14 of themain body 10, thehead 40 is fixed to thehinge connection part 16 of the folder body. - In addition, as discussed above, the moving
cam 36 moves linearly within thehousing 32. Also, the movingcam 36 has an outer circumference shape that matches the polygonal shape of thehousing 32 so the movingcam 36 does not rotate within thehousing 32. One end of the movingcam 36 includes a first cam face 52 for engaging with asecond cam face 54 of thefixed cam 38 and the other end of the movingcam 36 supports one end portion of thespring 42. - In addition, the
fixed cam 38 has a circular outer circumference so it can be rotatably disposed inside thehousing 32. Thus, the second cam face 54 contacts the first cam face 52 of the movingcam 36 causing the movingcam 36 to move linearly within thehousing 32. Further, the fixedcam 38 includes a fixingpart 58 that is inserted into a fixinghole 56 of thehead 40, and includes acam shaft 60 formed in a longitudinal direction thereof. The movingcam 36 thus moves linearly along thecam shaft 60. - In addition, the
torque controller 44 includes asupport plate 62 having a same polygonal outer circumference as an inner circumference of thehousing 32 such that thesupport plate 62 can move linearly within thehousing 32. Thesupport plate 62 also supports the other end thespring 42. Further, acontrol bolt 64 includes threads on one end that match a threadedportion 70 of thesupport plate 62. The other end of thecontrol bolt 64 is exposed through the throughhole 56 of thecover 34. Asupport spring 66 is also installed between inner wall faces of thesupport plate 62 and thehousing 32 and is used to prevent thesupport plate 62 from being inclined when thesupport plate 62 is moved. - Further, as shown, one side of the
support plate 62 supports thespring 42 and the other side supports thesupport spring 66, such that when thecontrol bolt 64 is rotated, the support plate is linearly moved within thehousing 32 to control a tensile force of thespring 42. -
FIG. 7 illustrates in detail thethreads 68 of thecontrol bolt 64 to be threaded with the threadedportion 70 of thesupport plate 62.FIG. 7 also illustrates atool insertion hole 74 into which a tool can be inserted to rotate thecontrol bolt 64. In an alternative example, rather than using thetool insertion hole 74, a user may simply turn thecontrol bolt 64 by hand. Further, thecontrol bolt 64 is rotatably mounted at the throughhole 70 of thesupport plate 62 but its linear movement is prevented. Namely, thecontrol bolt 64 includes asupport part 72 extending in an outward direction to prevent linear movement of thecontrol bolt 64. - Also, the
control bolt 64 includes agroove 76 formed in a circumferential direction at a portion positioned at an outer surface of thecover 34, in which asnap ring 78 is mounted.FIG. 6 illustrates thesnap ring 78 mounted into thegroove 76. Thus, because thesupport part 72 is supported by an inner side of thecover 34 and is secured via thesnap ring 78 at the outer side of thecover 34, thecontrol bolt 64 can make a rotational movement but not a linear movement. Further, thesnap ring 80 is mounted at the end portion of thecontrol bolt 64 to prevent thecontrol bolt 64 from being released from thesupport plate 62. - In addition, because one end of the
support spring 66 is supported by thesupport plate 62 and the other end is supported by the inside of thecover 34, a certain amount of elastic force is applied to thesupport plate 62 to thereby prevent thesupport plate 62 from inclining or becoming distorted when thesupport plate 62 is linearly moved. - The operation of the mobile terminal constructed as described above will now be explained with reference to
FIGS. 8 and 9 . - When the user rotates the
control bolt 64 clockwise using a tool inserted into theinsertion hole 74, thesupport plate 62 threaded with thecontrol bolt 64 is linearly moved in a forward direction, which shortens the length (L1) of a free field of the spring 42 (FIG. 8 ). Accordingly, the tensile force of thespring 42 also increases. Conversely, if the user rotates thecontrol bolt 64 counterclockwise, thesupport plate 62 threaded with thecontrol bolt 64 is linearly moved in a backward direction. Thus, a length (L2) of the free field of thespring 42 is lengthened and the tensile force of thespring 42 is reduced (FIG. 9 ). - In this manner, the user can vary the tensile force of the
spring 42 by rotating thecontrol bolt 64 clockwise or counterclockwise. Accordingly, the force working between the first cam face 52 of the movingcam 36 and thesecond cam face 54 of the fixedcam 38 changes, so the user can control the force required for opening and closing the folder body. - As so far described, the mobile terminal according to the present invention is advantageous because the user can control the amount of force required to open and close and the folder body. Thus, the user can conveniently use the mobile phone.
- As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
Claims (27)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020040080566A KR100619907B1 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2004-10-08 | Folder type mobile communication terminal having torque controllable hinge apparatus |
KR10-2004-0080566 | 2004-10-08 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060084466A1 true US20060084466A1 (en) | 2006-04-20 |
US7590428B2 US7590428B2 (en) | 2009-09-15 |
Family
ID=36181447
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/243,996 Expired - Fee Related US7590428B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2005-10-06 | Hinge unit and mobile terminal having the hinge unit |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7590428B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1645937A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4313794B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100619907B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN100473080C (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0504301A (en) |
RU (1) | RU2339163C2 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070077972A1 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2007-04-05 | Fih Co., Ltd | Hinge assembly for a foldable electronic device |
GB2449632A (en) * | 2007-05-23 | 2008-12-03 | O2 | A mobile telecommunications device, and an accessory for a mobile telecommunications device |
USD886819S1 (en) * | 2018-04-19 | 2020-06-09 | Compal Electronics, Inc. | Notebook computer |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR100815970B1 (en) * | 2007-01-18 | 2008-03-21 | 피케이텍시스템 주식회사 | A wall mount with general purpose weight |
BR112014016070A8 (en) * | 2012-11-28 | 2017-07-04 | Intel Corp | pivot configuration for an electronic device |
JP5710662B2 (en) * | 2013-02-07 | 2015-04-30 | レノボ・シンガポール・プライベート・リミテッド | Electronics |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20010016474A1 (en) * | 2000-01-21 | 2001-08-23 | Isao Nagashima | Small-sized opening and closing device |
US20030115718A1 (en) * | 2000-03-21 | 2003-06-26 | Ralph Bechthold | Flap hinge |
US20040007409A1 (en) * | 2001-12-07 | 2004-01-15 | Keller Duncan Adam | Motorcycle engine mounting system |
US20040166890A1 (en) * | 2002-06-13 | 2004-08-26 | Ryszard Gordecki | Electronics devices with spring biased hinges and methods therefor |
US20050119023A1 (en) * | 2001-10-17 | 2005-06-02 | Hiroshi Sudo | Hinge device and cell phone using the hinge device |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS57181878A (en) | 1981-04-30 | 1982-11-09 | Hitachi Koki Co Ltd | Control device for dot printing device |
JPH0526227A (en) | 1990-11-30 | 1993-02-02 | Sando Kogyosho:Kk | Device for controlling opening/closing of movable body |
JP3032465B2 (en) | 1996-04-19 | 2000-04-17 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Hinge device for portable radio |
US6065187A (en) | 1998-05-14 | 2000-05-23 | Motorola, Inc. | Hinge assembly |
JP2000000185A (en) | 1998-06-16 | 2000-01-07 | Kato Electrical Mach Co Ltd | Hinge holder of hinge for sheet or cover of western style toilet bowl |
JP2001297576A (en) | 2000-04-13 | 2001-10-26 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Structure of dustproof door |
JP2002139018A (en) | 2000-10-31 | 2002-05-17 | Kato Electrical Mach Co Ltd | Damper hinge |
JP4014814B2 (en) * | 2001-03-30 | 2007-11-28 | スガツネ工業株式会社 | Hinge device |
JP2004132407A (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2004-04-30 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Hinges unit |
JP2004270714A (en) * | 2003-03-05 | 2004-09-30 | Nifco Inc | Hinge unit and structure of hinge using the same |
-
2004
- 2004-10-08 KR KR1020040080566A patent/KR100619907B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
2005
- 2005-09-26 JP JP2005278962A patent/JP4313794B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-09-29 RU RU2005130302/09A patent/RU2339163C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-10-04 EP EP05021640A patent/EP1645937A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-10-04 BR BRPI0504301-8A patent/BRPI0504301A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-10-06 US US11/243,996 patent/US7590428B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-10-08 CN CNB2005101134254A patent/CN100473080C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20010016474A1 (en) * | 2000-01-21 | 2001-08-23 | Isao Nagashima | Small-sized opening and closing device |
US20030115718A1 (en) * | 2000-03-21 | 2003-06-26 | Ralph Bechthold | Flap hinge |
US20050119023A1 (en) * | 2001-10-17 | 2005-06-02 | Hiroshi Sudo | Hinge device and cell phone using the hinge device |
US20040007409A1 (en) * | 2001-12-07 | 2004-01-15 | Keller Duncan Adam | Motorcycle engine mounting system |
US20040166890A1 (en) * | 2002-06-13 | 2004-08-26 | Ryszard Gordecki | Electronics devices with spring biased hinges and methods therefor |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070077972A1 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2007-04-05 | Fih Co., Ltd | Hinge assembly for a foldable electronic device |
GB2449632A (en) * | 2007-05-23 | 2008-12-03 | O2 | A mobile telecommunications device, and an accessory for a mobile telecommunications device |
USD886819S1 (en) * | 2018-04-19 | 2020-06-09 | Compal Electronics, Inc. | Notebook computer |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP4313794B2 (en) | 2009-08-12 |
EP1645937A3 (en) | 2011-08-17 |
CN100473080C (en) | 2009-03-25 |
CN1758668A (en) | 2006-04-12 |
RU2339163C2 (en) | 2008-11-20 |
US7590428B2 (en) | 2009-09-15 |
KR20060031509A (en) | 2006-04-12 |
EP1645937A2 (en) | 2006-04-12 |
KR100619907B1 (en) | 2006-09-12 |
BRPI0504301A (en) | 2006-05-16 |
RU2005130302A (en) | 2007-04-10 |
JP2006105392A (en) | 2006-04-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7590428B2 (en) | Hinge unit and mobile terminal having the hinge unit | |
US7006853B2 (en) | Rotary type hinge module for portable wireless terminal | |
US20170275935A1 (en) | Biaxial hinge and terminal device using the same | |
US7821783B2 (en) | Double hinge assembly and electronic device using the same | |
US7036186B2 (en) | Swing hinge device for a portable terminal | |
US6593999B1 (en) | Original cover closer | |
JPH1039950A (en) | Hinge structure for portable electronic equipment | |
JP2007267238A (en) | Portable device | |
JPWO2004027274A1 (en) | Hinge device | |
JP2006173848A (en) | Stand for liquid television and stand for display device | |
KR20030017321A (en) | Rotary type hinge module for portable wireless terminal | |
KR100576007B1 (en) | Camera lens assembly for portable terminal | |
US20050246864A1 (en) | Hinge device | |
JP6734996B2 (en) | Stay | |
JP2004052887A (en) | Hinge unit for opening/closing holding of folding-type apparatus | |
KR100756914B1 (en) | Hinge module for cellular phone | |
KR100455545B1 (en) | Cover hinge mechanism of cellular phone | |
JPH0658231U (en) | Hinge mechanism | |
KR100619818B1 (en) | Swivel apparatus of mobile terminal | |
JP2002317812A (en) | Hinge device | |
KR20050031563A (en) | Hinge assembly of mobile terminal | |
JP2001243932A (en) | Battery cover device | |
KR100835935B1 (en) | Hinge module for cellular phone and cellular phone using the same | |
KR20020072828A (en) | Hinge device | |
JP3453969B2 (en) | Electronics |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LG ELECTRONICS INC., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LEE, CHOONG-JAE;REEL/FRAME:017068/0224 Effective date: 20051006 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYER NUMBER DE-ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: RMPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.) |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20170915 |